Devotionals

Augustine was one of the first to remind the church of the donum perserverantiae, the gift of perseverance. Perseverance as a gift means that even in our working to keep our faith, God receives all the glory. Praise Him for ...Read More

Being conformed to the image of Christ does not happen quickly. There is no secret formula for victory over the flesh or a second blessing that creates instant maturity. One of the most important means for growing to maturity is ...Read More

Someone who has knowingly denied the Spirit of truth will be blissfully unconcerned about it. They will not care about the punishment promised because they have already called Him a liar. The next time you worry about committing this sin, ...Read More

Apostasy from the new covenant is a real and dangerous possibility. Members of the covenant community that do not have saving faith will receive harsher punishment than those unbelievers who never joined a church (Luke 12:35–48). If a church confers ...Read More

God promises that those whom He foreknew and predestined He has also glorified (Rom. 8:30). God’s mighty acts of redemption show us that when God promises something, He always fulfills that promise. Remember the ways in which God has been ...Read More

Some in the original audience of the book of Hebrews wanted to return to the old covenant. In order to avert this, the author exhorts them to imitate the faith of the old covenant saints. This faith was not in ...Read More

We know that the love the audience of Hebrews had for Christ was not perfect. In 6:10 they had to be reminded of two things perfect love does not forget: God’s justice and faithfulness. Imperfect love is the standard for ...Read More

If Hebrews 6:4–6 refers to genuine Christians, then the author could never be sure that anyone who professes faith would inherit salvation. In 6:9 we find the death blow to anyone who would think Hebrews denies perseverance. Take some time ...Read More

Some Christians think that they have committed the sin of apostasy, thus demonstrating that they were never really saved. But the very fact that they worry about it might show that the Holy Spirit is working in their hearts to ...Read More

If we have saving faith, we will never fall away. The Father will not allow anyone, even ourselves, to snatch us from Christ’s hand (John 10:27–29). One way He ensures this is through repentance and restoration. Through the work of ...Read More